Before Metra puts battery-powered trains into regular service in 2028, Chicago riders can take a public walkthrough. Fox 32 Chicago reported that the agency displayed its first such trainset at LaSalle Street Station on October 14 and October 15, years ahead of a planned 2028 launch.
Instead of the usual diesel commuter equipment, visitors could inspect a fully electric set that still includes everyday rider amenities, such as charging points beneath every seat.
Here's what to know
Metra intends to deploy the trainset in 2028 on Beverly Branch service between downtown Chicago and Blue Island. In a TikTok video, Fox 32 Chicago showed the train on display at LaSalle Street Station and said the agency has ordered eight of them.
@fox32chicago Metra's first battery-powered trainset is now on display at LaSalle Street Station. Riders can get an up-close look at the new trains over the next two days. #Chicago #Metra ♬ original sound - Fox 32 Chicago
According to the walkthrough, each train will carry about 200 passengers and include charging ports beneath the seats for phones, tablets, or laptops. That arrangement would help commuters who spend the ride working or studying on their devices.
A separate central car contains 26 lithium titanate batteries. In the video, Fox 32 Chicago said the system has about 1 megawatt-hour of capacity, with preliminary estimates putting range at roughly 50 to 66 miles.
Online reactions were mixed: one user said, "I think this is great for our environment idk why everyone's complaining pls give these guys a chance," while others questioned cold-weather performance, range, and whether 200 seats would be enough.
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Another user said, "50-66 miles range……. So it makes one round-trip, and then it needs to charge again."
And another added, "I wanna see how it's gonna do during Chicago's snowstorms."
More background
Although passenger service is not expected until 2028, Metra used the station display to let the public step aboard well in advance. That gave commuters a chance to see the project firsthand instead of learning about it only through an announcement.
The train's battery hardware sits in a dedicated central car that, as the video described, includes "all the associated electrical equipment." Staff can reach some components from within the car, while they maintain the battery packs from the outside.
For riders, the emphasis was on everyday usability, including onboard charging and a quieter trip. Those details would matter most to passengers who depend on phones or laptops during long days away from home.
Because the train is designed to run entirely on electricity, that service would operate without diesel when the fleet begins running in 2028. The shift could also reduce noise and tailpipe pollution along the route.
What's being done?
So far, Metra's plan focuses on a specific route rather than the whole system. According to Fox 32 Chicago, the agency has ordered eight battery-powered trainsets and expects to use them on the Beverly Branch of the Rock Island Line.
The agency opened the train to visitors at LaSalle Street Station through 6 p.m. on Oct. 14 and again from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 15. Those viewing hours gave commuters a chance to inspect the layout, seating, and charging setup before the trains enter service in 2028.
The preview highlighted both passenger-facing features and maintenance considerations. Under-seat charging addresses a common commuter need, while the separate power-pack car groups the battery hardware in one place for easier access.
In its video, Fox 32 Chicago said, "We're talking fully electric, no diesel and a much quieter commute to work."
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